Eric Dane
Dane in D.C. to support the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), March 2015
Born (1972-11-09) November 9, 1972 (age 51)
San Francisco, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1991–present
Known for
Spouse
​
​
(m. 2004; sep. 2018)​
Children2

Eric William Dane (born November 9, 1972)[1] is an American actor. After multiple television roles in the 1990s and 2000s, which included his recurring role as Jason Dean in Charmed, Dane was cast as Dr. Mark Sloan on the ABC medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy. Following this, he made appearances in films such as Marley & Me (2008), Valentine's Day (2010), and Burlesque (2010). Dane has since played Captain Tom Chandler in the post-apocalyptic drama The Last Ship and currently stars as Cal Jacobs in the HBO series Euphoria.

Early life

Dane was born in San Francisco, California,[1] to William Melvin.[2][3] When Dane was 7 years old, his father died of a gunshot wound.[4][5] Dane has a younger brother.[6] They were raised in their mother's Jewish faith, and Dane had a bar mitzvah ceremony.[7][8][9] He attended Sequoia High School in Redwood City, California, from 1987 to 1990, and San Mateo High School in San Mateo, California, from 1990 to 1991, where he graduated. Dane was an athlete in high school, playing on the boys' varsity water polo team,[10] but pursued a career in acting after appearing in a school production of Arthur Miller's All My Sons.[11][12]

Career

In 1993, Dane moved to Los Angeles,[10] where he played small roles in the television series Saved by the Bell, The Wonder Years, Roseanne, and Married... with Children, among others. But in 2000, he was signed for a recurring role in Gideon's Crossing, and followed this with a two-season run as Jason Dean in Charmed. His made-for-television film credits included two biopics, Serving in Silence (about Margarethe Cammermeyer's experiences in the military), and Helter Skelter, in which he portrayed Charles "Tex" Watson, a member of the Manson family.

Dane's first major feature film appearance was in The Basket. He also appeared in Zoe, Duncan, Jack & Jane, Sol Goode, Feast, X-Men: The Last Stand, and starred in Open Water 2. In 2005, Dane guested as Dr. Mark Sloan in "Yesterday", the eighteenth episode of the second season of the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy. Positive audience reaction to the character led to Dane's becoming a regular in the show's third season. His first appearance in the season, in which he walked out of the bathroom soaking wet and wearing only a strategically placed towel, was labeled a "watercooler moment".[13] Dane resigned from the show after the end of season 8 but appeared in the first two episodes of season 9.[14] In 2021, Dane reappeared on the show for the first time in nine years since his character was killed off.[15]

In December 2006, he starred in the A&E television film Wedding Wars as the brother of a gay man (played by John Stamos) who goes on strike in support of same-sex marriage. Dane, alongside Patrick Dempsey, appeared in the same big-screen project, the 2010 romantic comedy Valentine's Day. The Garry Marshall-directed film followed five interconnecting stories about Los Angelenos anticipating (or in some cases dreading) the holiday.[16]

In October 2012, Dane joined the main cast of the Michael Bay-produced TNT drama series The Last Ship.[17] He is also credited as a producer on the show.

Personal life

Dane married actress Rebecca Gayheart on October 29, 2004. They have two daughters together.[18] In February 2018, Gayheart filed for divorce from Dane after 14 years of marriage, citing "irreconcilable differences".[19]

In 2009, Dane made headlines when he was in a video that featured Dane, his wife and Kari Ann Peniche, nude and using drugs.[20]

In June 2011, Dane entered a California treatment center to recover from a dependency on prescription drugs he had developed after suffering a sports injury.[21]

In April 2017, The Last Ship halted production through Memorial Day to allow Dane to deal with the depression he was battling.[22]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1999 The Basket Tom Emery
2003 Sol Goode Overly Dramatic Actor
2005 Feast Hero
2006 X-Men: The Last Stand Jamie Madrox / Multiple Man
Open Water 2: Adrift Dan
2008 Marley & Me Sebastian Tunney
2010 Valentine's Day Sean Jackson
Burlesque Marcus Gerber
2017 Grey Lady Detective James Doyle
2021 The Ravine Mitch Bianci
2022 Redeeming Love Duke
American Carnage Eddie
2023 Little Dixie Governor Richard Jeffs
Americana Dillon MacIntosh
Dangerous Waters Derek Stipes [23]
2024 Untitled fourth Bad Boys film TBA
TBA Into the Beautiful Tom
TBA Borderline Bell
TBA One Fast Move TBA
TBA Family Secrets TBA

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1991 Saved by the Bell Tad Pogue Episode: "The Game"
1992 Renegade Jimmy Episode: Mother Courage
1993 The Wonder Years Brett Episode: "Nose"
1995 Married... with Children Oliver Cole Episode: "Radio Free Trumaine"
Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story Matt Television film
1996 Seduced by Madness:The Diane Borchardt Story Nick
Silk Stalkings Justin Whalen Episode: "Private Dancer"
Roseanne Bellhop Episode: "Disney World War II"
2000 Zoe, Duncan, Jack & Jane Alec Episode: "Kiss of Death"
2001 Gideon's Crossing Dr. Wyatt Cooper 4 episodes
Ball & Chain Jack Television film
2002 The American Embassy Rob Goodwin 3 episodes
2003–04 Charmed Jason Dean 9 episodes
2004 Las Vegas Leo Broder 2 episodes
Helter Skelter Charles "Tex" Watson Television film
2005 Painkiller Jane Nick Pierce
2006 Wedding Wars Ben Grandy
2006–12, 2021 Grey's Anatomy Dr. Mark Sloan/McSteamy Main role (seasons 3–9); Special guest star (season 2); Guest star (season 17); 140 episodes.
Satellite Award for Best Cast – Television Series
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
2009–10 Private Practice Special Guest Star; 2 episodes
2014–18 The Last Ship Capt. Tom Chandler Main role; 56 episodes
2015 The Fixer Carter Miniseries[24]
2018 Family Guy Himself (voice) Episode: "Veteran Guy"
2019–present Euphoria Cal Jacobs Main role; 13 episodes
2020 Wireless Officer T.C. Kirschner Episode: "100%"

References

  1. ^ a b "Eric Dane Biography". TV Guide. Archived from the original on July 18, 2016. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  2. ^ Myers, Meghann (June 15, 2017). "'The Last Ship' skipper receives shadow box of dad's awards". Navy Times. Archived from the original on July 31, 2017. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  3. ^ "Jews Making News: Grey's Anatomy Alum, Eric Dane, Stars in New Show". Atlanta Jewish Times. June 20, 2014. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  4. ^ Lee, Luaine (June 15, 2014). "'I've a tendency to complicate things'". Gulf Times. Archived from the original on July 31, 2017. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  5. ^ Keck, William (May 15, 2007). "Star couple give a hand on Skid Row". USA Today. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  6. ^ "Eric Dane: Acting for real". CNN. April 6, 2001. Archived from the original on November 24, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  7. ^ Gladstone, E.C. (2006). "All Grown Up". Atlanta Peach Magazine: 84. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2010. Gayheart, who was raised Southern Baptist, is considering converting to Dane's Judaism. 'He's not pushing me, I just love all the traditions,' she says.
  8. ^ "Jews in the News: Celebrity Scoop: James L Brooks, Eric Dane and Gwyneth Paltrow". Letmypeoplegrow.org. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  9. ^ Miller, Gerri (June 11, 2014). "Hollywood Now: Eric Dane on Last Ship and Kunis & Franco". InterfaithFamily. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  10. ^ a b "Mark Sloan (Eric Dane) Bio - Grey's Anatomy". American Broadcasting Company. Archived from the original on January 13, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  11. ^ Soll, Lindsay (February 9, 2007). "8 things you don't know about Eric Dane". Entertainment Weekly.
  12. ^ "The towel scene still wears well with Eric Dane". ScrippsNews. May 15, 2007. Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  13. ^ Oldenburg, Ann (October 4, 2006). "Dr. McSteamy scrubs in as cast regular". USA Today. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  14. ^ Ausiello, Michael (July 26, 2012). "Grey's Anatomy Exclusive: Eric Dane Checks Out!". TV Guide. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  15. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 1, 2021). "Eric Dane On Touching Reunion In 'Grey's Anatomy' Return & More – Q&A". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  16. ^ Matt Mitovich (July 8, 2009). "Grey's Stars Dempsey and Dane Celebrate Valentine's Day". TV Guide. Archived from the original on July 11, 2009. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
  17. ^ Berkshire, Geoff (October 10, 2012). "Eric Dane's 'Grey's Anatomy' rebound: Starring in Michael Bay's TNT pilot 'The Last Ship'". Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved October 12, 2012.
  18. ^ "Eric Dane, Rebecca Gayheart Debut Baby Daughter!". Us Weekly.
  19. ^ Vulpo, Mike (February 16, 2018). "Rebecca Gayheart Files for Divorce From Eric Dane". E! Online. United States: NBCUniversal. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  20. ^ Valentine, Nicky (August 18, 2009). "Eric Dane, Rebecca Gayheart, and Kari Ann Peniche's uncensored sex tape is here". Buzz Patrol. Archived from the original on August 22, 2009.
  21. ^ "Ministry of Gossip". Los Angeles Times.
  22. ^ "'The Last Ship' on Production Hiatus as Eric Dane Battles Depression (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. April 30, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  23. ^ Roxborough, Scott (May 5, 2022). "Cannes: Ray Liotta, Saffron Burrows, Odeya Rush, Eric Dane Jump in 'Dangerous Waters'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  24. ^ Vlessing, Etan (July 16, 2014). "Eric Dane, Kathleen Robertson Board Canadian Miniseries 'The Fixer'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 24, 2015.

External links

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